18. March 2026

Moving out? Stressed about getting your deposit back? Don't worry, House of Xari has got your back!

We know how stressful moving is in general - now adding the stress of the after-cleaning on top of that can be a bit of a brain buster! Landlords tend to check the home with a little microscope, looking for any reason not to give you your money back. Furthermore, lets face it, the economy right now isn't great. No one can just afford to throw away their deposit, all because of a little dirt!! Hell no! So, I am now going to tell you exactly what landlords look at when doing their checks. And, how to clean these spots with little effort. 🧼

First things first...the kitchen! Here is a list of what landlords look for:

• Oven, hob, and extractor fan ( the extractor fan is easily forgotten but they do look!)

• Inside and outside of cupboards

• Fridge and freezer (defrost if necessary)

• Sink and taps (Give them a little polish after, this will make them sparkle!)

• Worktops and splashbacks

• Microwave and small appliances

• Floors and skirting boards

• Inside the bin and bin area

These areas are the worst for grease and buildup. Focusing on these is super important!

Secondly, the Bathroom... these areas are rife for limescale, mould, and even simply soup residue.

Key areas to clean include:

• Toilet (inside and outside)

• Shower screens or curtains

• Bathtub and shower trays

• Sink and taps

• Tiles and grout
• Mirrors and glass surfaces

• Bathroom cabinets and shelves
• Floors and skirting board

After these two, it's really just general cleaning for the rest of the house! Here's a list of what to do:

• Vacuuming carpets or mopping floors
• Dusting all surfaces
• Cleaning inside wardrobes and drawers
• Wiping mirrors and windows
• Cleaning skirting boards
• Removing any marks from walls where possible
• These tasks apply throughout the entire property:
• Clean all windows (inside)
• Wipe doors and door frames
• Clean light switches and sockets
• Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners
• Vacuum and mop all floors
• Empty all bins
• Check cupboards and storage spaces

Make sure nothing is left behind in cupboards or under the bed.

So there you have it! These checklists will help you with making sure your landlord has absolutely nothing to moan about! Landlords and letting agents expect the property to be returned in the same condition it was at the start of the tenancy.

If the property is not cleaned properly, the landlord may deduct cleaning costs from your deposit. We hope this has helped! But please, remember if you can not be bothered to do this yourself or your scedule is too busy with everything else life is throwing your way... Just give House of Xari a call, and we will come and do it for you. It's our job, after all!